Pomegranate tree named &#39;kamel&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct pomegranate variety of  Punica granatum  named ‘KAMEL’, particularly characterized by self-pollinating and self-fertile medium-sized tree with vigorous growth habit; good fruit productivity; large-sized, mature fruit, with uniform, dark red skin color that appears very early in fruit development, and red arils; and mature fruit which is of good eating quality (sweet-sour flavor and good juice production).

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Punica granatum

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘KAMEL’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of pomegranate tree, botanically known as Punica granatum L. of the Lythraceae family, and hereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘KAMEL’.

The new Punica granatum ‘KAMEL’ is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventors, Doron Holland, Irit Bar-Ya'akov and Kamel Hatib in Yizre'el Valley, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new Punica granatum variety with vigorous production of mature fruit with good eating quality.

Pomegranate seedlings were collected from different sites (in Israel) and planted in Yizre'el Valley, Israel. The new Punica granatum ‘KAMEL’ originated from open pollination of an unknown Punica granatum variety. The new Punica granatum ‘KAMEL’ was discovered in 2003 and selected in 2006 by the inventors in a controlled environment in Yizre'el Valley, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new Punica granatum ‘KAMEL’ by hardwood cuttings was first performed in February 2006 in the Yizre'el Valley of Israel, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new variety are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new variety reproduces true to type. Resulting trees of new Punica granatum were planted in 2007 in the Yizre'el Valley.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘KAMEL’ which in combination distinguish this pomegranate tree as a new and distinct variety:

-   1. self-pollinating and self-fertile medium-sized tree with vigorous     growth habit; -   2. good fruit productivity; -   3. large-sized, mature fruit, with uniform, dark red skin color that     appears very early in fruit development, and red arils; and -   4. mature fruit which is of good eating quality (sweet-sour flavor     and good juice production).

Of the many commercial varieties known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Punica granatum ‘KAMEL’ is Punica granatum ‘WONDERFUL’ (unpatented), in the following characteristics described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Comparison Variety New Variety ‘WONDERFUL’ Characteristic ‘KAMEL’ (unpatented) Ripening time Late Late (beginning of October) (beginning of October) Mature fruit skin color Dark red Red Timing of full Early fruit in Mature fruit red skin color developmental appearance stages before fruit matures

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Punica granatum ‘KAMEL’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘KAMEL’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical 3 year old shrub of ‘KAMEL’.

FIG. 2 shows a side view perspective of a typical trunk of ‘KAMEL’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of typical fruit on a branch of ‘KAMEL’.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of typical leaves of ‘KAMEL’.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of typical hermaphrodite flower of ‘KAMEL’.

FIG. 6 shows a various close-up views of typical mature fruit of ‘KAMEL’, illustrating the skin and arils color and fruit shape.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Punica granatum ‘KAMEL’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the pomegranate tree.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe trees of ‘KAMEL’ as grown in the pomegranate farm in the Yizre'el Valley of Israel, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Seedlings of ‘KAMEL’ were planted mainly in clay grumusol (vertisol) soil at an elevation of about 100 meters above sea level, at lat. 32° 42′ N, long. 35° 11′ E. Yizre'el Valley is characterized by a Mediterranean subtropical climate, with an average annual rainfall of about 580 mm concentrated from November through March. Mean diurnal minimum temperature in January is 6° C. (43° F.), and mean diurnal maximum temperature in July is 33° C. (91° F.).

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed botanical description includes observations, measurements and values based on two year old ‘KAMEL’ trees grown in the pomegranate farm in Yizre'el Valley, Israel from 2006 to 2008. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of trees of ‘KAMEL’. The measurements of any individual tree, or any group of trees, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately late morning in Yizre'el Valley, Israel.

All of the trees of ‘KAMEL’, insofar as they have been observed, have been identical in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Punica granatum L. -   Parentage: Open-pollination of unknown Punica granatum variety. -   Propagation: Hardwood cuttings. -   Growing conditions: -   Light intensities: Full sunlight. -   Fertilization: A level of about 250 Kg/ha N and 300 Kg/ha K per year     and about 60 Kg/ha P every three years. -   Growth regulators: Not used. -   Pruning or trimming requirements: Winter pruning and removal of     suckers during summer. -   Tree: -   Age: Observed trees were two years old. -   Vigor: Good. -   Form: Upright and spreading; medium-sized tree with one trunk. -   Branching habit: Main branches angle is up to 45° with respect to     trunk if allowed to grow naturally. -   Production: Good. -   Size at maturity:     -   -   Height.—About 2.2 m to 2.8 m.         -   Spread.—About 2.6 to 3.1 m. -   Trunk:     -   -   Height (up to leaders).—About 30-40 cm.         -   Diameter (20 cm above ground).—About 28.2 cm±3.0 cm.         -   Texture.—Rough.         -   Bark color.—Brown, RHS N200C.         -   Trunk lenticels.—None. -   Branches:     -   -   Number per tree.—About 4 or 5 depending on pruning.         -   Length.—About 2 m to 3 m.         -   Diameter (at two years, 20 cm above branching).—About 14.7             cm±0.8 cm.         -   Growth per season.—On average, branches grow up to 2 m per             growing season, and then new branchlets form, radiating from             the older, primary branch.         -   Surface texture.—New Growth: Semi-rough Mature: Rough.         -   Color.—New Growth: Grey-brown, RHS 199A Mature: Brown, RHS             N200B.         -   Internode length.—About 40 mm to 53 mm.         -   Internode diameter.—About 4 mm to 5 mm.         -   Branch spines.—Length: About 3 mm to 8 mm Diameter: About 1             mm Color: Brown, RHS 174 A.         -   Branch lenticels.—None. -   Spur: Present.     -   -   Distance between each spur.—Varies.         -   Thickness of each spur.—About 3 mm to 4 mm.         -   Number of fruit per spur.—About 1 or 2. -   Foliage: -   Arrangement: Opposite, pairs alternately crossing at right angles,     petiolated. -   Lamina:     -   -   Size (fully developed lamina).—Length: About 7.2 cm±0.3 cm             Width: About 2.1 cm±0.1 cm.         -   Overall shape.—Oblanceolate.         -   Base shape.—Acuminate.         -   Apex shape.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth Under surface: Smooth.         -   Color (mature leaves).—Upper surface: Green, RHS 137A Under             surface: Green, RHS 137C.         -   Color (immature leaves).—         -   Upper and under surfaces.—Reddish. -   Venation:     -   -   Type.—Pinnate.         -   Color.—Green midrib, RHS 137C, about 1 mm in thickness. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—About 6.2 mm ±0.4 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 1.0 mm.         -   Color.—Green, RHS 137C. -   Stipule: Exstipulate. -   Glands: None. -   Inflorescence: -   Blooming time: Full bloom on about beginning of May in Yizre'el     Valley, Israel. -   Blooming period: About one month. -   Fragrance: None. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Length.—Up to 15 cm.         -   Type.—Hermaphrodite flowers are born single or clustered.             The flowers can be found on the same plant in various shapes             and size. There are vase shaped flowers with fully developed             reproductive organs and bell shaped flowers which have             undeveloped reproductive organs, and between these two types             there are various flower shapes and stages of. -   Flower diameter: About 33 mm to 41 mm. -   Flower depth: About 35 mm to 45 mm. -   Buds:     -   -   Number per spur.—About 1 or 2.         -   Shape.—Elongated.         -   Length.—21 mm to 29 mm.         -   Width.—About 12 mm to 14 mm.         -   Color.—Dark orange-red, closest to RHS 34A.         -   Scales.—Typical to species, not distinguishing. -   Calyx:     -   -   Depth.—25 mm to 30 mm.         -   Diameter (funnel).—About 30 mm to 35 mm.         -   Attitude.—Semi-erect.         -   Calyx lobes length.—About 9 mm to 11 mm.         -   Calyx lobes width.—About 5 mm to 7 mm.         -   Color.—Dark orange-red, closest to RHS 32A. -   Petals:     -   -   Number per flower.—About 5 to 7.         -   Size.—Length: About 19 mm to 24 mm Width: About 17 mm to 20             mm.         -   Overall shape.—Elliptic.         -   Apex shape.—Rounded.         -   Base shape.—Rounded.         -   Texture (upper surface).—Smooth.         -   Texture (lower surface).—Smooth.         -   Margin.—Entire, undulated.         -   Mature Color.—Upper surface: Orange-red, RHS 33A Under             surface: Orange-red, RHS 33A. -   Sepals:     -   -   Number per flower.—About 5 to 7 .         -   Size.—Length: About 9 mm to 11 mm Width: About 5 mm to 7 mm.         -   Overall shape.—Triangular.         -   Apex shape.—Acute.         -   Base shape.—Fused.         -   Texture (upper surface).—Smooth.         -   Texture (lower surface).—Smooth.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Mature Color.—Outer surface: Orange-red, RHS 32A Inner             surface: Orange-red, RHS 33A. -   Pedicle: Flowers are sessile, no pedicle. -   Fruit: -   Keeping quality: The fruit keeps well on the tree. It can be stored     in cold temperature conditions at above 7° C. for about 4 weeks in     good eating quality. -   Maturity when described: Ripe for commercial harvesting and     shipment; about beginning of October in Yizre'el Valley, Israel. -   Maturity period after full bloom: About 5 months after full bloom     about beginning of May in Yizre'el Valley, Israel. -   Date of first picking (harvest): About October 1^(st) in Yizre'el     Valley, Israel in 2008. -   Type: Berry. -   General shape: Oblate, nearly uniform, symmetrical. -   Apex shape: Prominent crown of calyx segments at apex. -   Base shape: Symmetrical base, slightly flattened near stem end. -   Suture: None. -   Average weight: About 380 g. -   Fruit Size:     -   -   Average height (axial plane, without crown).—About 79 mm±1.0             mm.         -   Average diameter (widest pint, right angle to axial             plane).—About 303 mm±3.0 mm. -   Crown:     -   -   Height.—About 29 mm ±1.0 mm.         -   Circumference.—About 76 mm +2.0 mm.         -   Spikes.—Number mostly 6 per fruit; position half-closed to             upright. -   Rind:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Tendency to crack.—Slight.         -   Ground color.—Dark pink.         -   Blush color.—Dark red, RHS 46A.         -   Percentage of skin surface with overcolor color.—Uniformly             spread over entire rind. -   Pulp Membrane:     -   -   Thickness.—Thin. -   Arils:     -   -   Texture.—Smooth and shiny.         -   Length.—About 10 mm to 12 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 5 mm to 7 mm.         -   Weight (per aril).—About 0.35 g.         -   Volume (per aril).—About 0.32 cm³.         -   Color at maturity.—Dark red, RHS 46A.         -   Separation.—Easy.         -   Septum.—Thin, transparent.         -   Ripening.—Uniform.         -   Fibers.—Not noticeable.         -   Aroma.—None.         -   Eating quality.—Very good.         -   Juice production.—Good.         -   Flavor.—Sweet-sour. -   Seeds:     -   -   Overall shape.—Ovate.         -   Apex shape.—Apex.         -   Base shape.—Rounded.         -   Length.—About 7.8 mm.         -   Dry weight (per seed).—About 0.026 g.         -   Dry volume (per seed).—About 0.04 cm³.         -   Hardness.—Medium.         -   Color (dry).—White, RHS 155C. -   Reproductive organs: -   Androecium:     -   -   Stamen.—Number per flower: Numerous Length: About 5 mm to 6             mm Color: Dark orange, RHS 33B.         -   Anther.—Length: About 5 mm to 6 mm Color: Yellow, RHS 4A. -   Pollination requirements: None, ‘KAMEL self-fertile and     self-pollinator -   Gynoecium:     -   -   Pistils.—Quantity: One Length: About 5 mm to 10 mm Diameter:             About 1 mm Dark orange, RHS 33B.         -   Stigmas.—Size: Very small Color: Greenish-yellow, RHS 1A.         -   Ovary.—Shape: Conic Length: About 8 mm to 9 mm Diameter:             About 8-13 mm Color: Red-orange, RHS 33B Pubescence: None. -   Market: Fresh market and food, juice and dietary supplement     manufacturing. -   Usage: Fruit and extract. -   Disease/pest resistance: No atypical resistance has been noted. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: No atypical resistance has been noted. -   Winter hardiness: Tolerant to temperatures down to −3° C. without     observed damage to wood and buds of dormant pomegranate trees, under     prevailing local conditions. 

1. A new and distinct pomegranate variety of Punica granatum named ‘KAMEL’, as illustrated and described herein. 